Man sought in fatal shooting is in county jail

Published: Friday, May 10, 2013 at 12:18 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 10, 2013 at 12:18 p.m.

A Umatilla man arrested in St. Petersburg on suspicion of shooting a man to death in Marion County last Saturday was booked into the county jail in Ocala at 2:45 a.m. Friday.

Lamar Lee Maddox, 39, faces a charge of second-degree murder. Dressed in a red and white Marion County Jail outfit, he faced Judge Tommy Thompson via video link from the jail to the courthouse on Friday morning. Maddox requested a public defender, which was granted by the judge.

Thompson said Maddox faces life imprisonment if he is convicted.

A representative from the State Attorney’s Office told the judge that Maddox has a criminal record that includes convictions for drug and battery charges.

The judge withheld bond for Maddox because of the nature of the case, saying he poses a danger to the community.

Maddox’s next court date is June 11.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives said Friday that Maddox also is expected to be charged with grand theft of the truck he used to drive to St. Petersburg.

According to Detective Stacey Spivey’s report, four people, including Brandon Simmons, 25, went to a residence in Umatilla last Saturday. Maddox was at the home and an altercation took place during which it was alleged that Maddox pulled out a gun and shot Simmons.

Simmons was taken to The Villages Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The owner of the home, Ricky Bacon, said Maddox was there when Simmons and two other men arrived to confront him. Bacon said Maddox, who was upset about the recent death of his brother, was also distraught about a breakup with his girlfriend. The woman was dating Simmons’ uncle, but Maddox had continued trying to reconcile with her. Bacon said Maddox believed Simmons and the other men came to the home to jump him.

“I told them I wasn’t having it in my house, they had to take it someplace else,” Bacon said.

Maddox and the others made their way to the road in front of the home. Bacon said he saw Maddox pull a gun, which went off and a bullet hit the ground.

“I didn’t even know he had a gun,” Bacon said. “He wasn’t pointing or aiming. He just turned at them and started shooting. He wasn’t trying to kill anybody. He just thought they were going to jump him.”

Simmons was hit in the arm and chest, Bacon said.

Maddox fled from the scene.

Just after dawn Sunday, a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy saw a vehicle similar to the one Maddox was thought to be driving parked in an alley by a home. Just before 10 a.m., a Dodge Caravan stopped in front of the house and two women got out and went inside, but left a short time later.

Deputies pulled over the van and found Maddox lying on the backseat. He was arrested and taken to the Pinellas County Jail, where he remained until being brought back to Ocala.

MCSO detectives said Friday they are looking for a blue steel revolver with wooden grips and brass knuckles related to the case. Anyone with information can call Spivey at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.

<p>A Umatilla man arrested in St. Petersburg on suspicion of shooting a man to death in Marion County last Saturday was booked into the county jail in Ocala at 2:45 a.m. Friday.</p><p>Lamar Lee Maddox, 39, faces a charge of second-degree murder. Dressed in a red and white Marion County Jail outfit, he faced Judge Tommy Thompson via video link from the jail to the courthouse on Friday morning. Maddox requested a public defender, which was granted by the judge.</p><p>Thompson said Maddox faces life imprisonment if he is convicted.</p><p>A representative from the State Attorney's Office told the judge that Maddox has a criminal record that includes convictions for drug and battery charges.</p><p>The judge withheld bond for Maddox because of the nature of the case, saying he poses a danger to the community.</p><p>Maddox's next court date is June 11.</p><p>Marion County Sheriff's Office detectives said Friday that Maddox also is expected to be charged with grand theft of the truck he used to drive to St. Petersburg.</p><p>According to Detective Stacey Spivey's report, four people, including Brandon Simmons, 25, went to a residence in Umatilla last Saturday. Maddox was at the home and an altercation took place during which it was alleged that Maddox pulled out a gun and shot Simmons.</p><p>Simmons was taken to The Villages Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.</p><p>The owner of the home, Ricky Bacon, said Maddox was there when Simmons and two other men arrived to confront him. Bacon said Maddox, who was upset about the recent death of his brother, was also distraught about a breakup with his girlfriend. The woman was dating Simmons' uncle, but Maddox had continued trying to reconcile with her. Bacon said Maddox believed Simmons and the other men came to the home to jump him.</p><p>“I told them I wasn't having it in my house, they had to take it someplace else,” Bacon said.</p><p>Maddox and the others made their way to the road in front of the home. Bacon said he saw Maddox pull a gun, which went off and a bullet hit the ground.</p><p>“I didn't even know he had a gun,” Bacon said. “He wasn't pointing or aiming. He just turned at them and started shooting. He wasn't trying to kill anybody. He just thought they were going to jump him.”</p><p>Simmons was hit in the arm and chest, Bacon said.</p><p>Maddox fled from the scene.</p><p>Just after dawn Sunday, a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputy saw a vehicle similar to the one Maddox was thought to be driving parked in an alley by a home. Just before 10 a.m., a Dodge Caravan stopped in front of the house and two women got out and went inside, but left a short time later.</p><p>Deputies pulled over the van and found Maddox lying on the backseat. He was arrested and taken to the Pinellas County Jail, where he remained until being brought back to Ocala.</p><p>MCSO detectives said Friday they are looking for a blue steel revolver with wooden grips and brass knuckles related to the case. Anyone with information can call Spivey at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.</p>